"We appreciate the continued bipartisan support to maintain the $5,550 maximum Pell Grant. We're pleased that both the House and Senate versions of this spending bill maintain the maximum Pell award for award year 2012-13. It is troubling that lawmakers continue to look for ways to decrease spending on federal student aid, but we are encouraged that the proposals in this spending bill take a more nuanced approach compared to earlier proposals that would have drastically and indiscriminately slashed Pell awards.

"We remain concerned that lawmakers continue to use budget legislation to make significant changes to the student aid programs. This leaves little time to research and debate how these changes will impact students. The traditional authorization process ensures a thoughtful discussion of proposed changes and prevents unintended or unforeseen consequences.

"NASFAA is working with its members to better project and understand how these proposals would impact students. We look forward to working with lawmakers as they debate spending levels for the federal student aid programs to ensure legislation is in students' best interest."